Produce display tray



May 27, 1958 v. T.- PRINGLE PRODUCE DISPLAY TRAY v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 7, 1956 INVENTURH/ V/ M 7. Fem 615 m Ey-MQm ATTDRNEY United States Patent 9 PRUDUCE DEEPLAY TRAY Virgil T. Pringle, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application March 7, 1956, Serial No. 570,069

2 Claims. (Cl. 229-22) The invention herein set forth is embodied in a tray of generally triangular form intended to be used to carry and display a limited number of produce articles such as peaches, plums, and most particularly, tomatoes such as may be grown in a hot house where the tomatoes will be of relatively uniform size.

For the sake of economy, the tray may be made out of cardboard, although the invention is not necessarily limited to that material. it is desirable that the material be flexible and yet sufiiciently rigid to stand up under .the intended usage as above indicated for the period required from the time the produce is packed in the tray until it is displayed and finally delivered to the consumer.

One of the primarypurposes of the invention is to provide a tray having a contour of the encircling wall which will receive the produce Without tending to distort the articles of the produce when those articles bear firmly against the wall. In this regard, the tray is so constructed under the invention as .to provide a degree of yielding of the wall under inside pressure from the articles of the produce, while, at the same time, the articles are prevented from being forced into sharp cornets of the wall.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a structure which may be set up from a blank state with the minimum number of operations, and which will retain its set up shape even though the trays may be thrown promiscuously into boxes or containers pending their use.

The invention contemplates the use of a transparent sheet of covering and protecting material and this sheet Will be carried down around the outer side offithe encircling walls of the tray and held in position by means of a flexible band such as a rubber band stretched around the outside of the cover and forcing that cover inwardly and holding it against the encircling wall from the outside, and doing so in such a manner that the band will not be displaced accidentally, but only upon positive manipulation thereof.

In regard to the retaining of the band, it is a further purpose of the invention to provide longitudinal slots across the corners of the retaining wall, and into which slots there is a tooth extending and under which tooth the band may be positioned so as to not only retain the cover over the tray, but also do so in such a manner that the outside corners of the wall will not be under direct pressure of the band, and hence will maintain a more or less angular shape.

These and many other objects of the invention wiil become more apparent to those versed in the art-in the following description of one particular form of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 'l is a view in top plan of the tray embodying the invention;

vFig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the tray in which tomatoes have been packed and a cover applied thereover;

2,836,339 Patented May 27, 1958 Fig. 3 is a View in plan of the tray blank; and

Fig. 4 is a detail in section on the line 4-4 in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 3, a blank generally desi nated by the numeral 10 is formed to have a base or a floor area shaped generally in the form of an equilateral triangle, being designated by the numeral 11. As will be noted, the corners are rounded by the arcuate boundary lines 12, 1'3, and 14. The lines 12 and 13 terminate by common ends on a score line 15 which forms the base line of a side wall strip 16. The strip 16 extends by one end portion 17 by a base line 18 coinciding with the score line 15, and this base line 18 intersects approximately with a corresponding line 19 of a second side wall strip 20 which is an integral part of the base 11, having a score line 21 defining the base line 19 across the side of the base 11. As indicated in Fig. 3, there is a slight clearance between the outer end of the line 18 and the line 19, this clearance being emphasized for the sake of clearness, and the line 18 may be extended entirely to the line 19 to intersect, although that is not absolutely essential. It is desired however that the line 18 closely approach the line 19 as indicated so as to give as great as possible length to the line 18 from its intersection of the line 12 beyond the base 11.

A third side Wall strip 22 is provided along the third side of the base 11, and defined by a score line 23 which coincides with the base line 24. The line 19 of the strip 20 closely approaches the line 24 of the strip 22. Likewise the line 24 of the strip 22 closely approaches the base line 18 of the strip 16. The strip 16 terminates by its endportion 17 in a straight line 25 which is normal to the base line 18. Likewise'the strips 28 and 22 terminate in corresponding end portions by the end lines 26 and 27 respectively both normal to their base lines 19 and 24. The side wall strip 16 is provided with an arcuate slit 28 extending from the base line 18 and slightly beyond the center of the strip 16 in respect to its base line 18 and the top edge 29. This slit 28 defines a tongue 3%, the tongue being preferably roughly rounded at its outer end portion by being cut away as at the line 31 adjacent the base line 18 and the line 32 intersecting the outer or relative end and eventually the upper line 29.

A score line 33 extends across the side wall strip 16 at right angles to the base line 18, and the intersection of the score line 33 with the base line 18 is at the center of that length of the base line 18 which lies between the intersecting point A of the arcuate line 13 with the base line 13 and the point B which is the intersection of the lines 24 and 27 of the side wall strip 22. The arcuate slit 28 is located outwardly beyond the point B as indicated in Fig. 3.

Centered on the score line 33 and spaced outwardly from the line 18 is a longitudinally disposed slot cut through the strip 16, this slot being designated by the numeral 34. The slot 34 is provided with a pair of opposing teeth 35 and 36with space intervening therebetween. The teeth 35 and 36 are centered on the score line 33. This same strip 16 further has an arcuate slit 37 disposed intermediate the line 18 and edge 29, extending generally longitudinally of the strip 16 rather than transversely thereof. This arcuate slit 37 is located outwardly to extend by an end portion from a line roughly drawn from the intersection point C of the lines 12 and 18.

In like manner, the side wall strip 20 is provided with the generally transversely extending slit 38 extending from the line 19 adjacent the end 39 which is roughly rounded by the under line 40 and the upper line 41,

thus forming from the side edge 19 a tongue 42: A 1 score line 43 extends transversely across the strip 20- midway, between the points. D and E, the point-D 'lines13 and 24. r 7

The locations of these various. slits, score lines and I 29, without being secured thereagainst. 7

391 s on the inside of the wall 16, from, h 5lit37 v being the: intersection point of the lines 18 and and the point B being the intersection of the lines 12 and 19. A slot 44 extends longitudinally of the strip 20' centered on the score line43, and there are the teeth 45 and'46 centered on the score line 43' opposing one end of the strip 22 adjacent the end 26 of the strip 20.

A score line 50 extends transversely across the strip'22 at right angles to the line 24, this'score' line 50 being midway between the intersection point' G of the lines 14 and 24 and the point H at the intersection of the 7 lines 12 and 26. A slot 51 extends longitudinally'of the strip-22 to be centered on the score line 50, and1also V centered on the score line 50 are the opposing teeth 52 and 53 extending one toward the other from opposite sides of the slot 51. Z Finally the strip 22 has an arcuate slit 54 which extends generally longitudinally of the strip 22 adjacent the point I as the intersectioniof'the slots, will become more important and understandable "as this description proceeds in the' setting upbf the blank. 7

With a blank 11 formed'a s indicated andasillustrated the numeral 66 are placed onthe base or floor; 11 ''of the tra, one tomato 66 will be placed in each one of the corners thereof to have the tomatoes bear against the freely extending wall end portions 17, 60, and,

these portions being flexible and being forced outwardly if the tomatoes be of sufiicient size, the important' point being however that in so doing, there is a rounded v LcOrner which does not impose by the side walls extending therefrom flat spots on the tomatoes.

1 tomatoes.

of these corners, there is generally placed a third tomato on the top and centrally of the tomatoes resting on the I As is indicated in Fig. 1, these walls 16, 20,'and 22 tend by their very nature to bow outwardly by their top edges which further accommodates the tray. to the shapes of the With one tomato 66 placed in each one door 11. Then there is preferably employed a trans- A parent cover 67 which is drawn down over the tomatoes and downar'ound the side walls 16, 20, and 22 to extend in Fig. 3, the side strips 16, 20 and 22' are folded 'on 1 their fold lines 15, 21, and 23 respectively to have those brought on the insides of the next adjacent strips.

strips turned generally upwardly into the three'side walls r r of the 'tray. The square end portions of these three a the triangular shapeQand likewise coniesfinto contact,

through the intervening: cover portion with the-in wardly positioned wall endportions 17,- 60, and 65. Thus. r

the arcuatetshaping of these inside wall end portionsis;

Referring to Fig. l, the strip 20 is turned upwardly on its score line 21, and its end portion designated by the numeral 60 is curved around on the inside of the strip 22, and the tab or tongue '49 is insertedtthrought the slit 47 to bring the score line substantially at fthe band be hearing across the fold lines, the walls 16,: 1 i

the lmid-point of the arcuate line 14 of the -base ll."

This leavestthe line 26 end of the strip 20-ex'posed'on the inside of'thestrip or wall 22 but firmly held against the inside by reason of the tab 49being passed through the 'slit 47; and engaging the line 47.

In like manner, the strip tongue 42 is inserted'and pushed downwardlyrthro ugh the -'arcuate slit 37 to bring thearcuate linej38 snugly 'end line 27 around on'theinside of the strip 16, and" placing the tab or.'tongue 30 downwardly through the V a slit 54yto leave the endportion 65 in an arcuate shape whilejhei score line 33 takes on 'a' more or less angular end 61 snugly of the arciiatett 7 I 16 is folded upwardly; on the score line 15 to bring its end portion1i7 inside ofthe strip 2! in an arcuate manner :whilef the':tab or below the line of the slots 34,-44, and 51, whereupon a rubber band 68 is brought'around on the outer'side of the cover 67 and positioned to carry the cover 67 inwardly of those slots so that theband in each instance as well as the cover is engaged at least under the upper tooth 35, 46,'and 53 respectively further aids in prevent- 'ing the withdrawalof the band 68' and the-portion of,"

the cover 67 which has been carried into the ,slot in each instance by the band, Also the presencerof this a band 68 tends to yieldingly retain the side. wallsj16, 20, and 22 againstjover extension by their top edges from supported :bytherubberjban'd in a yielding manner,

while the walls themselves tend to maintain-sharp 'cornerson the fold lines 33, 43, and 59. Otherwise, should 20, and '22 would tend to be bowedj outwardly more'rather than less. It is to be remembered that the endportions. ofthese walls exposedron the inside o f'the tray are tree to travel alon'g the tray wallsunder the influence" either of the tomatoes on theinside or the rubber band i on the outside or both; These free ends of the walls;-.

are supported by the base or floor 11 extending outwardly thereunder. That is, these end portions can not.)

be forced downbelow the top sidefof the fioor' lL'. I j V Thereforewhile I have shown anddescribed my in-l;

vention in the one particular form, it is obvious that r structural' chang'es may be made, such as in thexshapingj:

'of the tabs or tongues which 'interengage adjacentwallg and the like, all'with out departing 'fromrthe spirit-of the invention, and Itherefore do not desire to be limited which may to that precise form beyond the limitations be imposed by thefollowing claims a I claim: 7 l

'1. A paperboard tray comprising a generally triangular 2;

7 base; a generally straight wall hinged to each side of said 1 a base for a distance therealongfaud extending upwardly position, that is forming a'ivertical line from which the portions of the strip int d i Somewhat rounded fashion.- V '1 a 7 a It isito be noted that i'n' 'th'e set up condition arm-e 1 tray, the end'portions 1 7, and r 'curve around"and:

'extendupwardly fromithe base 11 across'fthose zones adjacent the. lines 12, 13 and 14, but spacedinWardl-y.

somewhat therefrom, 0n the other hand, the scorelinesl defining fold "lines 33, '43, and 50, a'rejjust outside' of these arcuate corners-13; 12, and 1'4 respectively This r relationship is illustrated in Fig-"l. When thep'rodu c'e I articles; for" example tomatoes generally designated therefrom; eachwall having a free length extending from each'endtthereof; one of'said lengths or one wall being free of scoring and extending arcuately and un- V secured throughout its extent aroundinside of th'enext" ,adjacent wall length with its endtedge'in'tree,frictional, r sliding engagement with the inner surface of said ad-' Y jacent wall; said adjacent wall'le'ngth havingaa verticalj score line approximately equ i-dis'tant' between;-the1proxi 'mate ends of the hin'ge connections of said {one and; v,sa'idadjacen'twalls", and about which line-"that adjacent wall, length angularlyjbends; an open 'spacejbetweem said arcuate length and said adjacent wall length of a 7 maximum, width at said score lineyand means securing a portion of said adjacent wall length to said one wall over its said hinge connection whereby the arcuate lengths are resiliently supported in the corners to provide a cushion for articles carried in the tray.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which each of said adjacent wall lengths has a slot therethrough centered on and extending transversely of said score line; there are opposing teeth on the margins of said slot, one tooth extending downwardly and the other tooth upwardly; and an elastic band extends around the outer sides of said walls and across said slots inside of said teeth adjacent said arcuate lengths maintaining said band intermediate the tops and bottoms of said walls, resiliently opposing travel of those lengths toward said score line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 79,441 Boughton June 30, 1868 905,330 La Jord Dec. 1, 1908 1,954,201 Goodyear Apr. 10, 1934 1,992,098 Sidway Feb. 19, 1935 2,147,563 Turner Feb. 14, 1939 2,295,478 Jason Sept. 8, 1942 2,301,927 Brogden Nov. 17, 1942 

